Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)
Offered by MI Student Aid, Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential · Free to apply
Michigan's tuition award for students who grew up on Medicaid, and one of the least-known large awards in the state. Qualification is not something a family applies for: the Department of Health and Human Services identifies students who had Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36-month period between age nine and high school graduation, and notifies them, sometimes as early as age 12. The support arrives in two stages. Phase I pays tuition through a certificate or associate degree program, and Phase II continues into a bachelor's degree once the student holds a certificate, an associate degree, or 56 transferable semester credits. Two timing rules decide eligibility: the high school diploma must come before age 20, and TIP must be started within four years of finishing high school.
How hard is the Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) to win?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.
- Estimated odds
- qualifying students generally receive it
- Paperwork
- ~1 hr to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to Michigan residents
- Fewer rivalsRequires a means-tested benefit
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of Michigan
- Open to high school seniors, current college students, and transfer students
- Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card)
- Family receives a means-tested benefit such as SNAP, Medicaid, or free or reduced-price lunch
- Age 20 or younger
- Must have had Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36-month period between age nine and high school graduation, as identified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Must earn a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent before age 20; students at a state-approved Early/Middle College have until age 21
- Must begin using TIP at a participating institution within four years of completing high school
- Must file a current-year FAFSA and be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year
- Must enroll at least half time and meet the college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy
- Phase II continues the award into a bachelor’s degree once you hold a certificate, associate degree, or 56 transferable semester credits
- Eligible students are notified by the state, some as young as 12; you do not apply for the Medicaid qualification itself
What the application takes
No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year. Applications open October 1, when the FAFSA opens. The deadline that actually ends eligibility is not the FAFSA: TIP must be started within four years of high school completion, and the diploma itself must come before age 20.
- FAFSA opens for the next school year
- October 1, 2026
- Federal FAFSA filing deadline
- June 30, 2027
Does your student actually qualify?
See if your student qualifies in 30 seconds. Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
Common questions about the Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)
How much is the Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) worth?
The Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) awards tuition assistance through an associate degree, then into a bachelor’s degree and is renewable in later years.
When is the Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) deadline?
The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year. Applications open October 1, when the FAFSA opens. The deadline that actually ends eligibility is not the FAFSA: TIP must be started within four years of high school completion, and the diploma itself must come before age 20.
When do Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) applications open?
Applications open October 1, when the FAFSA opens, and close June 30, 2027. The deadline that actually ends eligibility is not the FAFSA: TIP must be started within four years of high school completion, and the diploma itself must come before age 20.
Who is eligible for the Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of Michigan; Open to high school seniors, current college students, and transfer students; Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card); Family receives a means-tested benefit such as SNAP, Medicaid, or free or reduced-price lunch. 1 more criteria are listed on this page.
Does the Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) require an essay?
No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 1 hour on it.
How hard is it to win the Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 1 hr of paperwork.
Is the Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) free to apply?
Yes. The Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- 802 Opportunity GrantFull tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance ProgramVaries by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
- Alabama Student Grant ProgramUp to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
- Alaska Education Grant$500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
- Alaska Performance Scholarship$3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
- Arizona Promise ProgramFull tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.